LAS VEGAS — As a USA Basketball minicamp practice concluded this week, Tom Thibodeau turned to Mike Krzyzewski with his palms upturned and his face scrunched up, the universal sign for confusion.

It's not a sight Bulls fans are accustomed to seeing from the 2011 NBA Coach of the Year and noted detail freak, who has a .683 winning percentage in three regular seasons since taking over for Vinny Del Negro.

Coaching is coaching is coaching. But even Thibodeau admits to an adjustment period on the front end of his duties as Krzyzewski's assistant coach for Team USA, an assignment that will culminate at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

"This is a great opportunity for me to learn," an upbeat Thibodeau said. "I have to get up to speed on the system they have. The challenge is how quickly we can all get onto the same page. That's done with very clear and concise communication and leadership.

"I always think there's a benefit because you learn from everybody. You learn from the players. You learn from great coaches. You learn from great teams and coaches from other countries. I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Krzyzewski had hinted at stepping down last summer in London after leading Team USA to its second straight Olympic gold medal since he and USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo joined forces. When Krzyzewski committed to another quadrennial in May, he and Colangelo knew continuity would prevail. Assistant coach Jim Boeheim also is back for a program that has gone 62-1 since Colangelo and Krzyzewski came on board.

But change also occurred with the departures of assistant coaches Mike D'Antoni and Nate McMillan. Enter Thibodeau and New Orleans Pelicans coach Monty Williams, whom Krzyzewski had running separate practice courts this week as part of their assimilation.

"When I think about a basketball coach for the Chicago Bulls, he comes right out of the manual — a hardworking, blue-collar guy who brings a toughness and defensive consideration to our team," Colangelo said of Thibodeau. "I have great respect for him."

The fit seems perfect for a basketball junkie like Thibodeau, who laughed when asked if there's enough time in the day for his Bulls and Team USA commitments. Next summer, Thibodeau and Team USA will participate in the FIBA World Cup in Spain.

"The summer is always part of gaining new ideas, studying, trying to improve," Thibodeau said. "This is perfect. You couldn't ask for anything better. It will be very helpful."

Thibodeau and Krzyzewski share mutual friends but didn't know one another well before this commitment. Austin Rivers, son of Thibodeau's close friend Doc Rivers, played at Duke. When Bulls forward Taj Gibson participated in last summer's U.S. select team practices against Krzyzewski's Olympic squad, Thibodeau talked more extensively to the Duke coach.

Now the two coaches are linked by more than their common competitive natures.

"What I've tried to do is get to know them by phone, conference call," Krzyzewski said. "The big thing about this camp is our staff getting to know one another. That's why I wanted our staff to run it. At the end of these five days, we'll know each other.

"We've been in three long meetings already. We're going to go back and have a meeting. Out to dinner each night, which is another meeting. Those are better meetings. Food and drink, your mind wanders, so at least you get something else good."

Krzyzewski laughed before calling Thibodeau "one of the great coaches and teachers" and "intense and smart." Krzyzewski is the same way.

"I've been watching them pretty closely from afar," Thibodeau said. "I was curious to see all the things they did to change the culture here. I know how important this is now to NBA players. Everyone wants to be part of it. I just felt honored that I was even considered."